ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ˈrī-pᵊm

ripened; ripening ˈrī-pə-niŋ 

ˈrīp-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to grow or become ripe

transitive verb

1

: to make ripe

2

a

: to bring to completeness or perfection

b

: to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color

c

: to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration

ripener

ˈrī-pə-nər 

ˈrīp-nər

noun

Synonyms

• age
• develop
• grow
• grow up
• mature
• progress

Examples of ripen in a Sentence

The tomatoes finished ripening on the windowsill.

You can ripen the fruit by placing it in a paper bag and storing it at room temperature for a few days.

Recent Examples on the Web

This viburnum variety great for wildlife enthusiasts, with fragrant white blooms and showy berries that ripen from red to black in autumn. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

The region benefits from plenty of sunshine, especially on south-facing slopes, ensuring optimal grape ripening. —John Mariani, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

While perfectly safe, ethylene—produced by foods like apples, bananas, stone fruit, and tomatoes—can speed up ripening of ethylene-sensitive fresh fare nearby. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025

The fungal pathogen can quickly turn ripening grapes into cindery waste on the vine. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ripened; ripening ˈrīp-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become ripe